Chicken Enchilada Soup is THE dinner for those nights when you’re craving enchiladas but don’t have the energy for all that rolling. Black beans, chicken, and corn make it hearty and satisfying, while a smoky, spicy broth gives it Tex-Mex flair. Add your favorite toppings and grab a spoon!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe
- Based on a Reader Favorite. Love my Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup but don’t want to wait around for the slow cooker? Problem solved: make this creamy chicken enchilada soup recipe! You’ll get the same bold flavors, minus the wait.
- Big Tex-Mex Flavor. Taking its inspiration from Chicken Tortilla Soup, Chicken Enchilada Skillet, and Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas, this enchilada soup recipe is smoky, spicy, earthy, and zesty—pretty much everything you want in a dinner with Southwest vibes.
- Unbelievably Fast. Some soup recipes need to simmer away for hours to reach perfection, but not this one! We’re talking 10 meager minutes of prep time, 15 minutes of cooking time, and dinner’s ready to go.
- Healthy and Satisfying. We’ve got lean protein thanks to the chicken and beans, along with plenty of vegetables. This adds up to a soup that’s good for you and that will leave you (comfortably) full—it’s a soup that’s worthy of a meal!
How to Make Chicken Enchilada Soup
The Ingredients
- Vegetables. Yellow onion, red bell pepper, celery stalks, and garlic. Basically, a mirepoix plus red bell pepper.
- Chipotle Pepper. You’ll need some peppers and some of the smoky sauce they’re packed in. For a milder green chile chicken enchilada soup, use canned green chiles, which aren’t as hot as chipotles (but also aren’t smoky).
- Seasonings. Ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground oregano, chili powder, and kosher salt.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth. Using low-sodium broth gives you more control over the flavor of the finished dish.
- Tomato Sauce. Thickens and flavors the broth.
- Black Beans. Drain and rinse them well.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs. Whichever option you prefer. Thighs will be a little juicer.
- Frozen Corn. No need to shuck fresh; canned will work also.
- Fresh Lime Juice. Brightens things up, adding tangy flavor to our chicken enchilada soup.
- Toppings. Cilantro, avocado, tortilla strips, shredded Mexican blend cheese, queso fresco—go to town! I love a cheesy chicken enchilada soup, so I like to add a generous handful of shredded cheese to my bowl.
The Directions
- Cook the Vegetables. Until softened.
- Add the Seasonings. Cook until fragrant.
- Bring to a Simmer. Add 3 cups of chicken broth and tomato sauce; bring to a simmer.
- Cook the Chicken. Add the chicken, return to a simmer, reduce the heat to low and cook partially covered until the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
- Shred. Use two forks to shred the chicken, or you can dice it.
- Simmer Again. Stir in the remaining ingredients, and let them get cozy.
- Finish. Stir the lime juice into the chicken enchilada soup, then season to taste. Ladle into bowls, add your desired toppings, and ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup. After removing the soup from heat, stir in plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream) to make an extra creamy chicken enchilada soup.
- Enchilada Soup With Pre-Cooked Chicken. You can substitute the uncooked chicken for rotisserie chicken or leftover Baked Chicken Breast. Skip the step of cooking the chicken in the broth and simply add the pre-cooked chicken with the beans and corn.
- Vegetarian Enchilada Soup. Swap the chicken with extra beans and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make this a meatless enchilada soup.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate chicken enchilada soup in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat. Heat up leftovers on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
- To Freeze. Freeze this soup in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating according to the instructions above.
Meal Prep Tip
Get a head start on this recipe by dicing the vegetables a day or two beforehand. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
What to Serve with Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Salad. Pair your chicken enchilada soup with a Mexican-inspired salad like Black Bean Corn Salad or Taco Salad.
- Cornbread. Serve Sweet Potato Cornbread, Mexican Cornbread, or Jalapeno Cornbread on the side with your soup.
- Tex-Mex Favorites. Make a family-style dinner and pass around other restaurant-style faves like guacamole and chips.
- Margaritas. You just made a delicious dinner, so treat yourself to a Spicy Margarita or Peach Margarita!
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Dutch Oven. A kitchen multitasker perfect for making this chicken enchilada soup.
- Ladle. An essential for serving soup.
- Garlic Press. I love this garlic press because it’s easy to pop out the garlic remnants after you’re done using it.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Thaw the Corn Fast. Forget to thaw the corn? It happens to the best of us! Just place it in a colander and run warm water over it until it’s no longer frozen.
- Use an Instant-Read Thermometer for the Chicken. Whether it’s Cowboy Chicken and Baked BBQ Chicken, or this chicken enchilada soup, an instant-read thermometer is the best way to know when your chicken is done—and keep it from over-cooking.
- Make the Soup Thicker. If you’d like, you can remove a cup or two of the soup from the pot, puree it in a blender, and then add it back to the pot.
- Adjust the Spice Level as Needed. This isn’t a spicy soup, but it does have a little zip to it. To make it milder, dial back (or omit) the chili powder and chipotle pepper.
